Speed responsive coupling



April 17, l95l w. J. PENGLER 2,549,751

SPEED RESPONSIVE COUPLING Filed March 28, 1945 Ey? 47/ A Patented Apr.17, 1951l UNITED: sinresv PATENT OFFICE SPEED RESPONSIVE COUPLINGWalterv J. Spengler, Sidney, N. Y.,assignor to Bendix AviationCorporation, New York; N. Y., va corporation of Delaware ApplicationMarch 28, 1945', Serial No. 585,263

` l2-,Clailvns.` (Cl. 64'-25') f l 'Ihisjinventionfrelates particularlyto means/for connecting two rotating.` parts,y such 'as partsfof. an.internalV combustiorn' engine".:ignition:` system, soU that automaticangularY adj ustmentsfof said parts' maybe effected? during;rotationethereog wherebyV vthe v timing of the sparks vproducedlbyithef'ignition system in' .i the 2 engineI rcylinders" may beAautomatically varied;`

Onexof theobjectsxof-:ethe' present invention isi torprovide novelapparatus for mechanically co-upling, two z rotating elementsrelativeitofrthe other; n

Another object fof' .theinventionI is to 'provide a novelVautomaticrvariable"coupling for'rotating parts which functions-.inaccordance `with the speedofrotationfoffsaid pants. Y i

A: further; obj ect,` is f to provide: novelmeansY for automaticallyeiTecti-ng adjustments in the timing of thefignitionisystemiocaninternal combustion engine.

Still anotherv object isftoflprovide'f4 novel' coupling; means of theaboveicharacterwhereby two' rotating parts` may.;I beautomaticallyangularly adjusted in one::directionrelativev to, eachvother at onevspeeda of rotation:andY in: the otherzdi'rec tion-.atahigher speedzof rotation. Y

A vstill further-object isf-to provide I a-fnovel, cen-v trifugallyresponsive device.for.1electing an autol,

matic variable?connectionzbetween two 'rotatable parts.

Another object istoprovidenovel means adapt"y ed for Iuse in.the-ignition system lof .an internalv combustion engine` forv effectingspark? advanceat. onel enginefspeeds ,andf Ya retardation -of thespark-,ata higherfengine: speed or vice-versa Another-objectl-is toprovide a novel'v ignition apparatus` for tanz internal combustion.;engine whereby the sparks in the .cylinders of the engine may berbothYadvanced and retardedsrelative.V to the positie-not the pistons-'insaid cylindersy by a single, .centrifugallyzr actuated'. unit forcoupling two rotating partsj whiclnareadapted: for` rela-- tive angularmovement..

Another :obj ect. is .Y to .provide @coupling means ofthe abovecharacterwhichualso :functions to some extent. as a flexible.-couplingtoavoid damage Which-mightfotherwise-be occasioned bysuddenshocks:andquickechanges oi. speed..

yThe above and; further-'obiects andnovel fea.-v tur'esof thefinventicrrwilhmoreaiully'appear from the;'folioWing'gdetailed:descriptionl when.the'y same.-

isi.4 read in V,connection'fi ther accompanying drawings. Itis torb'eexpresslygundersto'od; how'- to couplings fandzmore element-sitoeachlothe'r while I permitting of angularsadj ustment .Lof one.4 off,said.

ever; that 'the-drawings are for the purpose of.' illustration only andarel not intended as a defini-' tion4 oiY the limits of the invention,reference. for this latter purpose being had primarily to` the appendedclaims.

In the drawings'-wherei'n. like reference lcharacters refer to likeparts throughout the-several views,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section of a magneto-orfthe like embodying one form of theV novel coupling unit comprehended` bythe present invention;Y

Fig; 2 is a: transverse'sectionl on the line 2--2` of Fig. 1;

Fig.` 3' is a-,transversesection on the line 3;-3"

of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view-of the. centrifugally responsive weightmembers and intermediate supporting member therefor, shoWninlFigs. l'to3.

Referring tothe drawings, the. present inventionis hereinillu'strated,by Way of example, in

the form of ay coupling unit adapted for use in. the ignition system ofan internal combustionengine. As shown, the novel coupling unit of theinvention is associatedswith the shaft of a magneto or the like forV thepurpose of' automatically' varying. the timing of the sparks in be ofany suitable designwell4 knownl in the. art' and,y hence,v isA onlypartially shown; In a manf ner also well understood by those skilled in.the:

an ignition. 'system' relative toA the positions of the pistons infthefenginef in: which' the sparks occur. The couplingV unit is employed forconnecting a rotating part of ane engine (not shown). tothe 'rotor shaftBain. aV magneto 6 which may art, the 'rotor' of the' magneto `isdrivably connected'v with a" circuit breaker cam (notfshown)` whichoperates. ini timed"relation` to the rotor." and: determines the timeof'v the occurrence.-

of. thej sparks'y inw4 the. engine cylinders. In`

a structure of this' character. wherein the` timing cam is driven; bywthe magneto; rotor, ther coupling unit of= the i' present invention ispreferably located-aso that the. rotor and the.v cam areaiected' alikeby adjustments made. by. said unit, thereby insuringthe vopening oftheprimary; circuit of themagneto coil at the most. advantageousv momentfor ecient operation ir- -respectiveof the adjustmentseffected by' thecoupling unit.y

Asl herein showng. the-novel coupling means-v whereby shaft 5: isexiblyconnected to an enginedriven part. for:` automatic angularadjustmentA relativetheretdzcomprises a spur pinion 1 (Figs: 1 and'.v3:);l which. maybe considered as the driving member of the couplingunit since it is connected, although not necessarily, to the primemover, which in the present instance is a rotating part of an engine onwhich magneto 6 is mounted. For this purpose, the hub portion 8.

of pinion or driving member 'I is provided at one end thereof withexternal splines 9 that are adapted to engage an internally splinedrotating part of the engine. Pinion I is provided with a bearing sleeveor bushing I6 which is loosely mounted on a smooth reduced portion ofshaft 5 and projects inwardly beyond said pinion for purposes to bepresently described.

Journalled on the projecting end of bushing I for free angular movementrelative thereto, is a torque transmitting intermediate member in theform of an irregularly shaped plate II having hub portions I2 and I3(Fig. 1) on opposite sides thereof to provide a substantial bearing forsaid plate, said hub portion I2 telescoping into driving member orpinion 'I to enable positioning of the latter relatively close to plateII. The holes I4 in plate I I indicate removal of material from thelatter in order to reduce the Weight thereof.

Novel centrifugally responsive means are provided for drivablyconnecting members I and I I, and for eifecting relative angularmovement of said members at a predetermined speed of rotation thereof.As shown, said centrifugally responsive means comprises a pair of gearsegments I5, I5 (Figs 1 and 3) disposed diametrically opposite eachother and arranged to mesh with the teeth of pinion or driving member7..

Each segment I5 is formed with a horizontal arm portion I6, and with avertical arm portion I'I, the latter arm portion being weighted at itsfree end as indicated at I8. As shown, each centrifugally responsiveweight member I5 is of a thickness throughout substantially equal to thewidth of the face of pinion 1, and is formed from a single piece ofmaterial. It will be understood that the members I5, I5 may befabricated from a plurality of thin plates or laminations securedtogether in a suitable manner.

Centrifugal members I5, I5 are pivotally mounted on corresponding endsof sleeves I9, I9 (Fig. 1) which are secured, as by pins 20, 20, inintermediate plate member I I and project beyond each side of thelatter. Screws 2 I, 2| threaded into sleeves I9, I9 hold centrifugalmembers I5, I5 against outward endwise displacement on said sleeves. Asillustrated in Fig. 3, the weighted arm portions II, I'I of centrifugalmembers I5, I5 extend upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at oppositesides of the axis of rotation of shaft 5, and the pivotal arrangement ofsaid centrifugal members is such that each tends to pivot in acounter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) under the influence ofcentrifugal force upon rotation of members I and II in the samedirection.

Secured in and projecting laterally beyond each side of plate II arepins 22, 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) corresponding ends of which are normallyengaged by the arm portions I 6, I6 of centrifugal members I5, I5 tolimit rotation of the latter in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) uponcounterclockwise rotation of pinion 'I and, hence, cause said membersand said plate to rotate with said pinion. Pins 22, 22 determine thenormal illustrated positions of centrifugal members I5, I5, and alsooperate to limit the extent of rotation of said members in acounter-clockwise direction under the influence of centrifugal forcethrough engagement with abutments 23, 23 on said members.

Centrifugal members I5, I5 and plate II are normally held in thepositions illustrated, with arm portions I6, I6 of said members engagingpins 22, 22, by suitable resilient means, such as a pair of pull ortension springs 24, 24 (Fig. 3). The latter are of lke predeterminedtension and have corresponding ends thereof connected by means ofsuitable adapters 25, 25 to corresponding ends of pins 26, 26 which aresecured in and project laterally beyond each side of plate II. Suitablespacer collars 21, 21 surround pins 26, 26. The opposite ends of springs24, 24 are connected to suitable adapters 28, 28 which extend into thebifurcated ends of studs 29, 29 and are connected thereto by pins 30, 30that extend through said studs and said adapters. Studs 29, 29 areadjustably threaded in suitable threaded openings in the arm portionsI6, I6 of centrifugal members I5, I5. It will thus appear that byrotating the studs 29, 29 the tension of springs 24, 24 may be varied tocontrol the pivotal movement of centrifugal members I5, I5 bycentrifugal force at desired speeds. Adjustment of studs 29. 29 as abovedescribed is effected after springs 24. 24 are disconnected therefrom.

When the above described parts are rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 3, at or above a predetermined angularspeed, the centrifugal force acting on the weighted ends of centrifugalmembers I5, I5 causes the latter to pivot counter-clockwise about pivotsI9,'I9, against the efforts of springs 24, 24, until abutments 23, 23 onsaid members engage pins 22, 22. This latter movement of centrifugalmembers I5, I5 causessaid members to roll bodily in a counter-clockwisedirection about pinion 'I a predetermined angular distance and, hence,effect a predetermined angular movement of intermediate plate member IIinv the same direction relative to pinion or driving member 1. Sincemember II is connected, in a manner to appear hereafter, to the magnetorotor, the latter is moved ahead with respect to the engine drivingmember I when centrifugal members I5, I5 move outwardly and causes anadvance in the timing of the sparks in the en-l gine cylinders relativeto the positions of the pistons in said cylinders.

Engaged over rotor shaft 5 and disposed at' the side of intermediateplate member I I opposite that at which driving pinion 1 and centrifugalmembers I5, I5 are arranged is a spur pinion 3I (Figs. 1 and 2) whichmay be conveniently referred to as the driven member of the couplingunit. Pinion 3I is telescoped over the hub I3 of plate II to enablepositioning of the same relatively close to said plate, and is drivablyconnected to rotor shaft 5 by means of splines 32 within the hub 33 ofsaid pinion-that mesh with external splines 34 on said shaft.

Novel centrifugally responsive means are provided for drivablyconnecting intermediate plate member II to pinion or driven member 3I,said i a horizontal arm portion 36, and with a vertical arm portion 31,the latter arm portion being ancorati;

Weighted ataits, free end-rassindcated at-38fl As. showninFig. 4f.the.arm. por-tions3&and3land .c the-fweightportions` 3811ertheecentrifugalfmemb'ers 35; 3'5". arefthinnen thani the: arm vportionsi I 6 and Ir'If and :the Weightf portions fl 8 f of-,fcentrifu- V- galmembers |5, |52 .Thus-Vcentrifugal:mem-Av bers 35,-35 are `:lightenA inWeightfthan the centrifugal members, I, y|511 The centrifugal' members35, 35V are formed,- inv thefillustratedvem 10 maybe: fabricated froma-pluralityv of .thirnpla-tesV bodimerit,r from a5J single piecei ofmaterial',E but or laminationsY if desired.-

f The ycentrifugal members135;A 3 5- are?` arranged the same. as and'ini.axial-alignment::with: cen-r. tr'ifugalmembers;v I 5,1215";.tofpivot outwardly in the; same direction as the latter under theinfluence?? of? centrifugal orcestactingtthereom; Accordingallymounted'f'on the:- endszof sleeves I9," .liltthat project` beyond the f.side* of" platefl |"adiacent'-` driven. member or` pinion`l 31.1 `Screws39; 39 threaded intoV said ends ofv sleeves' I9, lfholdf centrifugalmembers-,35, V 35- against inward end-` f Wise displacement-onsaidsleeves: Y

Pivotally connectedvat'lll'l,"V 40'ito the` arm por? tions 36, 36'- oflcentrifugal members 35,` 35y are' bifurcated blocks 4I, 4|" eachhavingadjustably" threaded therein ahsuitablefspring. connector or adapter 42"Connected f with -adaptersi 42, 42 aref' corresponding e'n'dsofpullsprings43, i3-Whichy are of like `*predetermined t'ension but''preft'erably somewhat f greaterthanl the` predeterminedterrsion:of-springs 24;' 24fforcentrifugalfrriembersV |5', I5. Theopposite-endsof`springsr43 43-'areffcon-i nectedt'oisuitable adapters"44', v41|', which', in turn, are' connected to' the'projectingfreeendsof pins-Tf 26526.'` Suitable spacernolliars 45,145 surround*`pins 25, 25"betvvee'n adapters44; 447 andthead'j" jacent side of plateTheia'rmport'ions' 36,2361

of centrifugal members 35; 35am-normally held in. engagement"-withtheprojecting freey endsfof pins" 22', 22 bysprings 43, 43-whichld'etermine'thef' normal illustrated position of `said members' andi p mediate'speeds, and at al retardedV spark set'tingl prevent rotationof the latter' beyondsaid posi-U l tion by'said'springs;v `Pins 22, 22also operate vto limit the extent of outwardmovement'of' cen-A'Ytrifugal members 35, under the'inuence of centrifugal force throughengagementV of abutments'- 46, 46 onsaid members' withsaidpins.

Springs 43, 43- in resisting the'outward movement of centrifugal membersV35, 35"cause"saidjmem" bers totransmit the rotation of rplate' II andvth'e above described'V angular movement of the"latter relativetodriving' pinion 'Itol drive'nmemberor pinion 13|v and rotor shaft 5.`The tensionof springsv 43, '43"may'b`e varied:l to'control`r the out;

member' 1;

When the driving anddrivenpartsl and 3| arerotated Y in al clockwise` rdirection, asT viewed in Fig. 2, y atazpredeterminedspeedg whichishigher than thatrequiredlto causeecentriiugarmembersa.

I 5, I .5i-tov movevoutwardly; inthemanner; describe above; the.centrifugal; vforce; .acting on; the` Weightedaendsfofftcentrifugalmembers 35, 35 causes v`the latter to pivot :clockwise (as viewed-1in" fFig. v2.); abouti-pivots t9,v |92. againstlthep tensioni y otsprings-43;43, .,unti-labutments e4i5',. 46 oni` said -v members engagefpinsAV22', 22. Since during. this@ functioning 'of centrifugal members 35, 35theres, is no relative angular movement of membersifl` and the drivenmember-orc pinion: 3| 1L and rotor shafti5 are rotated in alcounter-clockwise direction (Figi-2l relative to drivingmembe'r 'I andplate II appredetermined angular distance'f, thereby` causing aretardation of fthefsparksin the', ignition systemA servedby/magneto 5;rIt-will bel notedL that the views fof; Fligsaz andxB areztaken'invdiferentidirectionsras respects Figui. :Asthex angular; speedroitheparts iszreducedpto onslightly belowfthe predetermined speedsfatWhich-:cene trifugal members 5, I5. and;v 35,l :35 reach ,theout-VAWardlimitsof theirrmovementsr, in the'i manner above described', springs254,4 :Z4-and 43; 43, re-v spectively, return said centrifugal memberstol their normalillustrated positions; therebyrevers ing l,the relativeangular movements of the: parts and, hence,vthe advance-'or retardationof the* spark caused byy the, outward movements lofi said' centrifugalmembers. Thus-,an engine'fmay, for* example, be operated at one sparksettingforlow:

speeds, at an advancedspark setting'fon interfor high speeds, saidsparksettings beingv automatically effected'by the apparatus-ofthe-pres#l ent invention;

v'It -Willf be understood; that by: properly design-f ing/the partsVabove describedza-v varietyy ofv 'modes'- ofl operation may`b'ebobtained.` If the relative'` angular positions-10i members 1; I and3|? or, in the illustrated? structure, spark advance and retardisplotted against the angular speedof mem-Y berI'I, the contour of thecurveiobtained may beVA greatly varied, for example, bychangin'gthe'initial tension or design of springs 24 and'43, by adjustingthe spring'contours 29 and 42', by varyingv Lthe'extentof outwardmovement of'centrifugal "members |5, |51and-'35, 35,` or byfvarying the`characteristics of the `centrifugal weightfmembers:

There' is thuslprovided novel coupling means A,forlrotatableparts, suchas a magneto or timerr rotor andfdrive shaft therefor, whereby relativeangular movements Vof said parts in either direction ymaybeautomatically eiected duringrotation thereof; and WherebS7 relativearlgu1 ar'move'-r ,ments" infop'posite directions may be effected as*the speed of rotation increases;

said coupling means'v includes` means,l asin" the;

centrifugal members' I5 and 35,)so'constructed as'to effect' differentrelative angular movements of the `connected partsV at "predeterminedspeeds *thereof` in response'tor` centrifugal forces'. AThecouplingunitsuprovided maybe employedin a novelmanner to automaticallycontrol the spark` settin'gof an ignition system .in an infinitevariety'ofvvays for the purpose of obtaining efli'cient'and` economical"operation'. at substantially allspe'eds'l Furthermore', the novelcoupling means provided;

are simple in construction and operation and are also compactandreliable.

Although only one embodimentlof the inventionis illustrated-anddescribed` in detail it .is to be expressly understood thatthev'same; isnotlirnited thereto;k Asf Will novvv be;apparenttofthose:i skilledinthe/art,- various.changes;suchasjnE the*- design:v and,:,arrangementzofz the parts:illustrated,fL t

may be made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, only one ofeach of the centrifugal members I and 35 may be effectively employed anddisposed at opposite sides of plate l I and diametrically opposite eachother. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is hadprimarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus of the class described, a rotatable driving member, adriven member mounted for rotation with and angular movement relative tosaid driving member, and means for drivably connecting said memberscomprising an intermediate connecting member and centrifugallyresponsive means pivotally mounted on said intermediate member andhaving direct gear teeth engagement with said driving and drivenmembers, said responsive means comprising centrifugal weights ofdiierent sizes extending from their respective pivotal axes in a commoncircumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of saiddriving and driven members so as to be operable to effect relativeangular movement of said members in different directions at differentincreasing speeds of rotation in response to centrifugal forces actingon said responsive means.

V2. Apparatus of the class described comprising two rotatable membersadapted for angular movement relative to each other, means fortransmitting a driving torque from one of said members to the othercomprising centrifugally responsive means including a pivotedcentrifugal weight directly engaged with each of said rotatable members,said weights being of different mass and mounted to extend from theirrespective pivotal axes in the same circumferential direction withrespect to the axis 0f rotation of said rotatable members so as to beVoperable to first effect relative angular movement of said members inone direction and then effect relatve angular movement of said membersin the other direction at different speeds as the speed of rotation ofsaid members increases, and resilient means for controlling the movementof said responsive means in response to centrifugal forces.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a driving pinion, a drivenpinion axially spaced from said driving pinion, and means drivablyconnecting said pinions whereby the latter rotate together and areadapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, saidconnecting means comprising a plate member disposed between said drivingand driven pinions, a first centrifugally responsive gear segmentpivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing with said drivingpinion, and a second centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotallymounted on said plate member and meshing with said drivenother, saidconnecting means comprising a plate l member disposed between saiddrivingandfdriven.

members, a first centrifugally responsive toothed f segment pivotallymounted on said -plate mem ber and meshing with the teeth of saiddriving member, a second centrifugally responsive toothed" segmentpivotally mounted on said plate memberand meshing with the teeth of saiddriven member, said rst and second szgments being adapted to becomeoperative under the influence of centrifugal force at different speedsof rotation of said driving and driven members tol eiect a limitedrelative angular movement of said driving and driven vmembers rst in onedirection and then in the opposite direction, and resilient means forcontrolling the movements of both of said segments in response tocentrifugal forces. 5. In apparatus of the class described, a drivingpinion, a driven pinion axially spaced from said driving pinion, meansdrivably connectingsaid pinions'whereby the latter rotate together andare adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, saidconnecting means comprising a plate member disposed' between saiddriving' and driven pinions, arst centrifugally responsive gear segmentpivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing vwith said drivingpinion, a second centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotally mountedon said plate member and m;shing with said driven pinion, said first andsecond gear segments being adapted to become operative under theinuenceof centrifugal force at diierent speeds of rotation of saiddriving and driven pinions' to effect a limited relative angularmovement of said driving and driven pinions first in one direction andthen in the opposite direction, a spring for controlling the movement ofsaid iirst gear segment in response to centrifugal force, means forconnecting said spring with said iirst gear segment and with said plateand providing foradjustmentv of said spring to vary the tension thereof,a spring for controlling the movement of said second gear segment inresponse 11o-centrifugal force, and `means connecting said last-namedspring with said plate and with said second gear segment and providingfor adjustment of ksaid spring to vary the tension thereof.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a driving pinion, adriven pinion arranged coaxially with and spaced from said drivingpinion, and means drivably connecting said pinions comprlsing a platemember rotatably mounted between said driving and driven pinions, arstpair of circumferentially spaced gear segments pivotally mounted onsaid yplate member and meshing with said driving pinion, and a secondpairof circumferentially spaced gear segments.v

pivotally mounted on saidplate..member and. meshing with said drivenpinion, said first and second pairs of gear segmentsbeing adapted to.become operative undenthe influence of centrifugal force at diliferentspeeds of rotationl of. said driving and driven. pinions whereby alimited relative angular vmovement `of said driving and driven pinionsis effected irstjin one direc-v tionat one speedof rotation and then inthe opposite direction at another-speed of rotation.. 7. In apparatusofthe class described, a driving pinion, a driven pinion arrangedcoaXially with and spaced from said driving pinion, and means drivablyconnecting said pinions comprising a plate member rotatably mountedbetween said driving and driven pinions, a Vfirst pair ofcircumfer'entially spaced gear segments pivotallyA mounted on 'saidplate member and meshing with said. driving. ;pinion,i and -a second-vr.pairv of cir--y cumierentially spaced gear segments pivotally mountedon said plate member and meshing with said driven pinion, said first andsecond pairs of gear segments being adapted to become operative underthe iniiuence of centrifugal force at diierent speeds of rotation ofsaid dri vine: and driven pinions whereby a limited relative annu-- larmovement of said driving and driven pinions is eifccted first in onedirection at one speed of rotation and then in the opposite direction atanother speed of rotation, and resilient means resisting movement ofeach pair of said centrifugally responsive gear segments in response tocentrifugal forces,

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable drivingmember, a rotatable driven member, means drivably connecting saidmembers whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limitedangular movement relative to each other, said connecting meanscomprising an intermediate member, means centrifugall;r responsive toone speed including a pivotally mounted centrifugal weight on saidintermediate member and directly engaged with said driving member, othermeans centrifugally responsive yto another speed including a pivotallymounted centrifugal weight of different mass than said iirst namedweight on said intermediate member and directly engaged with said drivenmember, one of said centrifugally responsive Weights being so mountedand engaged with said driving member to eiiect relative angular movementof said rotatable members in one direction in response to centrifugalforces at one speed and the other of said centrifugally responsiveweights being so mounted and engaged with said driving member to eiectrelative angular movement of said ro tatable members in the otherdirection in response to centrifugal forces at a different speed, saidweights having the free ends thereof extending from their respectivepivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axisof rotation oi said members, and resilient means centripetally loadingboth of said centrifugally responsive means.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising a toothed driving member,a toothed driven member, and means drivably connecting said memberswhereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for angular movementrelative to each other, said connecting means comprising a support andoppositely impelled centrifugally responsive toothed segments pivotallymounted on said support, one of said segments meshing only with theteeth of said driving member and the other of said segments meshing onlywith the teeth of said driven member, said segments being 10 ofdilferent masses and having the free ends thereof extending from theirrespective pivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relativeto the axis of rotation of said members to effect relative angularmovement of said members in different directions at different speeds.

10.A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears onthe shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to theshafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support with thefree ends containing the centers of mass thereof extending from theirrespective mounting pivots in a common circumferential direction withrespect to the axis of rotation of the shafts, and having gear segmentson the other ends of the levers meshing with the gears.

il. A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears onthe shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to theshafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support, gearsegments on the levers meshing with the gears, said levers being ofsubstantially diiferent inertia and extending from their respectivepivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axisof rotation of the shafts, and resilient means centripetally loadingsaid centrifugal levers.

12. A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears onthe shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to theshafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support, gearsegments on the levers meshing with the gears, said levers being ofsubstantially different inertia and pivoted for centrifugal motion withthe free ends containing the centers of mass thereof extending fromtheir respective pivotal axes in the same circumferential directionrelative to the axis of rotation of the shafts for imparting oppositerelative angular movements to said shafts at different speeds ofrotation thereof, and resilient means centripetally loading saidcentrifugal levers.

WALTER J. SPENGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,017,212 Honold et al Feb. 13,1912 1,273,044 Diehl July 16, 1918 1,427,847 Putt Sept. 5, 19221,812,176 Sheridan June 30, 1931 2,391,525 Spengler Dec. 25, 1945

